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Use Space Heaters Safely in Chicago, IL, to Prevent Fire Damage

Use Space Heaters Safely in Chicago, IL, to Prevent Fire Damage

Sam Simon

December 2, 2015

It’s that time of year again in the greater Chicago area. Folks are taking their winter coats out of storage, cranking up their furnaces, and prepping for what is usually a cold Midwest winter.

Throughout many Chicago-area offices and homes, people use space heaters to stave off the chill. Available in both wall-mounted and free-standing models, they’re a great way to create a cozy environment. However, space heaters used everywhere, including the Chicago neighborhoods of Gold Coast, Logan Square, Near North, and River North, have the potential to start a fire and create extensive fire damage.

According to Carnegie Mellon University, 900 space heater fires are reported to U.S. fire departments annually, causing an estimated 70 fatalities, 150 injuries, and $53 million dollars in fire and smoke damage and property loss. Fifty-two percent of the space heater fires that occur in residential buildings are the result of the heater being too close to combustible items, such as blankets, furniture, or paper. If you’re the victim of a space heater fire, call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons for expert and compassionate

fire and smoke damage repair and cleanup

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To prevent having to make that call, here are several tips for the safe and proper use of space heaters:

  • Do not use space heaters to thaw frozen pipes, dry clothing, cook food, or warm bedding.
  • Do not operate a heater that you suspect is damaged.
  • Never leave a heater running unattended, and always turn it off before going to bed.
  • Keep all combustible items such as beds, sofas, curtains, clothes, and paper at least 3 feet from the front, sides, and rear of the heater.
  • Heaters should not be used in damp spaces, such as bathrooms, unless they are specifically designed for that purpose.
  • Always plug the heater’s cord directly into a wall socket. Using extension cords or power strips can cause cords to overheat and ignite.
  • During use, check frequently to determine if the heater plug or cord, wall outlet, or faceplate is hot. If it is, disconnect the heater immediately and have it inspected by an authorized repair person.


At ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons, we have the proper gear, training, resources, compassion, and overall expertise to efficiently and professionally handle all types of fire damage, whether the blaze was started by a space heater or something else.

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons serves 18 Chicago neighborhoods. Contact us immediately at 773-376-1110 for all of your fire damage, smoke damage, and water damage cleanup needs. We are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to help get your home or business back to its pre-loss condition as soon as possible, while minimizing your heartaches and headaches.

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Sam Simon

Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.

He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.

Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.

In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.

Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
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Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.

Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:

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